Machine for forming gaskets and applying the same to can ends or other closures



Aug. M, 1923. HA65J1E W. J. TOWL MACHINE FOR FORMING GASKETS AND APP NG THE SAME TO CAN ENDS OR OTHER CLOSURES Filed Oct. 17. 1921 9 Sheets-Sheet '1 m V N INVENTR William vJ: Ybw/e Aug. M, T1923. 11,@@5,1@11

W. J. TOWLE MACHINE FOR FORMING GASKETS AND APPLYING THE SAME TO CAN ENDS OR OTHER CLOSURES Filed Oct. 17. 1921 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig 2 J31 YEN TOR l r/fl/iam J: TOW/e HAGSJM Aug. 114, 1923.

W. J. TQWLE MACHINE FOR FORMING GASKETS AND APPLYING THE SAME TO CAN EN OR OTHER CLOSURES F d Oct. 17. 1921 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 mi N. f N a NQK mm X w i %Mm.

mwnlm Aug. 14, 1923.

W. J. TOWLE MACHINE FOR FORMING GASKETS AND APPLYING THE SAME TO CAN R CLOSURES 17. 1921 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 ENDS OR OTHE Filed Oct.

HAGSQMH Sheets-Sheet '7 Aug. 14, 1923.

W. J. TOWLE MACHINE FOR FORMING GASKETS AND APPLYING THE SAME TO cAN ENDS OR OTHER CLOSURES Filed Oct. 17 1921 dww )IACGSSJW'H I W. J. TOWLE MACHINE FOR FORMING GASKETS AND APPLYING THE SAME TO CAN 7 Aug. 14, 11923.

9 Sheets-Sheet 8 ZNVENTQR h/l/l'iam J mt 0 w MW E Aug. 14, 1923. I 31,465.,31M

' W. J. TOWLE MACHINE FOR FORMING GASKETS AND APPLYING THE SAME TO CAN ENDS OR OTHER CLOSURES Filed Oct. 17. 1921 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 H661}? [NM 5N from fill /lam J1 TOW/6 .5 I QKWM Patented Aug, M, 1123.

attain arena? carton WILL-J. TOWLE, OF 8'1. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

MAGHINE FOR FORMING GASKETS AND APPLYING THE SAME 1'0 CAN ENDE 0152,

. OTHER CLOSURES.

Application filed October 17, war. Serial it'o. 505,239.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I WILLIAM J. Towns, citizen of the United tates, resident of St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new .and useful Improvements in Machines for Forming Gaskets and Applying the Same to Can Ends or Other Closures, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in means for cutting out paper gaskets preferably from rolls or sheets of paper and applying them to closures, such as sheet metal can ends, so that when said closures are united to the can bodies and-sealed thereto, the joints between the can bodies and the closures are tight and non-leakable.

The invention consists generally in the constructions and combinations hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.-

In the drawings forming part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying my invention and arranged to cut paper gaskets from a roll of paper and to properly place them in can ends thereby preparing said can ends to be thereafter secured to can bodies with tight joints between said can ends and said can bodies, this figure of the drawings also showing in side elevation the machine by which the can ends are cut out of sheets of metal, and from which they are fed, preferably by gravity, to the machine forming the subject of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrow,

Figure 2 is a detail central section of the upper part of the machine. showing the feed control drive connections,

Figure 3 is a vertical section of the working element of the mechanism for bringing the gasket into cooperative relation with the can end.

Figure 4 is a detail section on line 4-4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a detail section on an enlarged scale taken on the vertical plane of line 5-5 of Figure 3, the lane of the section following line 55 of igures 9 and 12,

Figures 5 and 5 are detail views i1lustrating the method of to the can ends.

Figure 6 is a plan view, showing the means forgmding the can ends to the positionat WhlC-ll the gaskets are applied thereto.

Figure is a transverse section'on line 7-7 of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrow,

Flgure 8 is a detail section on line 8-8 of F igures 3 and 6, looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 9 is an under side view of the carrying plate and dies, shown in Figure 5.

Figure 10 is a vertical section on line 10-10 of Figure 5,

Figure 11 is a partial plan view showing a modlfication of the means for positioning the can end in reference to the forming die.

Figure 12 is a plan view of the lower paper-cutting dies showing the plate support- 111 the same,

igure 13 is a plan of the gasket-forming strlp of paper showing illustrations (at the left) of the partially cut gasket held in the sheet by narrow tongues or unsevered portlons, showing in its third position the completely severed gasket, and in its last position (towards the right) the opening in the sheet from which the gasket has been removed.

Figure 14 is a plan view on the line 14-14 of Figure 15, similar to Figure 6, showing a preferred construction of the means for feeding and controlling the passage of the can ends to the forming die.

Figure 15 is a vertical section on 15-15 of Figure 14:,

Figure 16'is a transverse section on the line 16-16 of Figure 15,

Figure 17 is a detail view on the line 17-17 of Figure 14,

Figure 18 is an enlarged section on the line 1818 of Figure 14 illustrating means for ejecting the last can end from the forming die.

Figure 19 shows a modified preferred construction of means for controlling the can ends in the feed chute.

Figure 20 illustrates a modified preferred means for holding the can ends on the forming die. n

In Figure 1 I have illustrated the machine the line of this invention and designated the same by the general reference letter I have also shown in Figure 1 and designated by the general reference letter B an assoclated machine by which the can ends, to which the gaskets are to be applied, are formed from suitable sheets of metal, said machine bein provided with the forming and blanking dies 2, 3, reciprocating plunger or ram 4, drive pulley 5 and driving belt 6. ThIS machine is also preferably provided w1th a sprocket wheel 7 and driving sprocket chain 8 by means of which power 1s communicated to the sprocket wheel 9 mounted on the occentric or crank shaft 9*, actuating, by means of the connecting rod 9, the plunger or ram 9 of the machine A, which embodies my present invention. The machine is provided with a suitable base here shown as formed by a pair of standards 10 (F lgure 2) having near their upper edges, grooves or ways 11 extending in the arc of a circle and supporting a base 12 having flanges 13 that fit into the ways 11. This permits the base 12 to be rocked or turned in the ways on the standard 10, thereby providin an adjustment of the angle of the face 0 the dies.

Similar means of adjustment are provided on the can end blanking and forming machine B. By adjusting these mechanisms the angle of the chute 14, leading from the can end blanking and forming machine B, to the gasket forming and inserting machine A, can be regulated.

As the can ends are formed by the machine B they slide downward in the chute 14, and are fed into position in the machine A to receive the gaskets that are formed and to have their edge turned upwards.

The chute 14 is preferably provided with the side rails 15 having the overhanging strips or ledges 16 arranged above the rails 15 forming grooves or recesses into which the surrounding flange of the can ends C project, (Figures 4 and 6), and which serve to keep said can ends in position in said chute.

The can ends for which the present machine is designed, are of the outline shown in Figure 6, and in cross section they have the inset or paneled form shown particularly in Figure 7. Said can ends pass by gravity down the inclined chute 14. The leading can end in the chute is held in a stationary position by conical stoppin pins 17 controlled by springs 18 (Figure 8 and the leading can end in the chute is stopped by the pins 17 with its edge in contact with the conical ends 17 of the pins.

Although the stopping pins 17 may be arranged in any suitable location, as in the lower die block 42 as shown in Figure 8, I prefer to locate them in the upper die block 43 in sockets 17", as shown in Figure 19,

for the reason that the can ends will not then be raised'over the 'pro'ecting ends of the pins in passing to the die, but will be held down to come in contact with and push out the finished can end from the die 42.

For positively feeding the leading can end from the chute 14 to the desired position in the die 42, where the can end receives the aper asket and has its edge turned u provi e a reciprocating slide 20 arrange in a grooved support 21 located alongside the lower portion of the chute 14 (Figures 3 and 4). This slide is provided with a pin or stud 22 projecting horizontally across the chute 14, and having pivotally supported thereon a yoke 23, preferably held in position on the pin 22 by collars 24, and carrying a pusher blade 24. A stub pin 25 projects outwardly from the slide 20, havin one end of a link 26 connected therewit and held in position by a collar 27. The yoke has lugs 28 projectln upwardly on each side of the pin 25, and said lugs are provided with adjustable screws 29, the ends of which are-in alinement with the stub pin 25. spring 30 is connected to the yoke 23 and to a stationary lug on the slide 20. A stud 31 mounted in a standard 32 pro'ecting upward preferably from the groove support 21, carries the arm 33, the lower end of which is pivotally connected to the link 26, (Figure3). The stud 31 is also provided with a crank arm 34 loosely mounted thereon, and the end of this crank is pivotally connected by means of a rod to a pivot block 35 arranged preferably u on the reciprocating connecting rod 9 (Figure 2 The arm 33 is rovided with alug 37, and the crank arm with a lug 38, carrylng a screw 39, which may be adjusted in said lug and the point of which is adapted to abut against the lug 37 on the arm 33. A spring 40 is connected to the crank arm 34 and to the arm 33 (Figure 3). As the slide reciprocates, the pusher blade 24, and the yoke, move from the position shown by full lines at the left in Figure 3 to the position shown by dotted lines in the same figure, and the pusher blade 24 yields slightly upward and passes over the can end that is nearest to the end of the chute 14. The upward movement of the connecting rod 9 moves the slide 20, and the parts carried thereby, from the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 3 to the position shown by full lines in the same figure. By this means the can end that was formerly at the end of the chute and resting against the pins 17 is pushed forward into the position shown at the left in F igure6, where it is brought into contact with the springs 41 (Figure 7) which hold said can end 1n proper position on the forming die 42, as hereinafter described.

It will be seen that as the can ends are f the block in which the formin forced out of the chute by'the pusher blade 24, their edges pass t e pins 7, engaging the conical portions thereof, permitting the can end that is being actuated by the slide and pusher to be moved to the position shown at the left in Figure 6, w ile the next can end slides downward and forward against the pins 17, followed by the other can ends in the inclined chute 14, the edge of the forward flange of each can riding over or under the flange of the adjacent can end and the edge of the u permost can end coming against the male or raised portion of the next can en as shown in Figure 6. The can ends may be brought to exact osition on the forming die 42, by the pusher blade 24 with the curved lower corners of the can end resting against the inwardly curved ends 41 of the flat springs 41. In order to exactlg position the curved end of the springs 41 provide a sli ht recess 42 in the top of the die block 42 igures 6 and 7) terminating on the inner sides in curved shoulders 44, against which the ends 41 of the springs normally bear. In Figure 11 is illustrated a modified form of can end holder consisting of pins 45 slidingly mounted in the die 42, and provided with beveled or conical ends 46 and shoulders 47 Springs 48 hold the shoulders of the pins against the outer surface of the die, and the can end in position on the die rests against the beveled ends of the pins 45.

The chute 14 terminates at the edge of die 42 is constructed (Figure 6) and gui ing means on an upper die member 43, hereinafter described in detail, form continuations of the ledges 16 and serve to direct the can ends into proper position over the die 42.

In the operation of feeding the can ends into the machine, when a can end is pushed from its resting position in the chute 14 against the pins 17 to the position on the forming die 42, to receive a gasket and have the-edge turned u the incomin can end strikes the can en that has just en completed and forces this can end out from the die 42 and into a suitable discharge chute 49. By this action the curved ends 41 of the springs 41 are forced outwards to let the broad portion of the can end pass, and immediately after this portion has passed, the springs 41 resume their ori inal position before the incoming can end reaches the positioning ends of the springs. In the modified construction shown in Figure 11, the positioning pins 45 are forced outwards in their sockets, a ainst the tension of the springs 48, when t e can end is forced outwards, and the springs restore the pins to their normal position, against the shoulders 47, when the broad portion of the can end has passed. It will be seen that as the main connecting rod 9 raises during the operation of the machine A the usher'blade 24 is simultaneously moved orward to place a can end on the die 42, and at the same time to discharge the completed can end, and as the rod drops the pusher blade moves back wards to enga the next can end. The upward swing o the pusher blade'in passing backwards over the irregular surfaces of the can end is adjusted to proper limits by the screws 29, as will be seen in Fi re 3.

The gasket is ap lied aroun the paneled or raised portion 0 the can end and a flange 50- is turned up from the can end around the outer edge of the gasket after the gasket is applied as shown more articularly in Figure 5. The can end, he ore the flan 50 is turned up, rests on the face of the is 42 (Figure 7), its edge 50, before forming the flange 50, overlapping the openin in the die, represented by the dotted line 'in Figure 6, and full line X in Figure 7. A movable pressure plate 51 is supported in the forming die by means of guide pins 52, having shouldered heads 53, resting against the bottom of sockets 54 in the bolster plate 55, to which the die 42 is secured, preferably by suitable screws 56. A downwardly rojecting threaded rod 57 is secured to the base plate 58 of the machine and through a plate 59, below which it is provlded with a coiled compression spring 60, held with an upward ressureegainst the plate 59 by means of a threaded nut 61. (See i'gure 5.) Supporting pins 62 secured to the plate 59, pass up through holes in the base plate 58 and bolster late 55, and rest ggamst the under side of t e pressure plate It will be seen by reference to Figures 3 and 5 that the tension of the spring 60 normally holds the pressure plate 51 in a predetermined position on the die 42, the guide pin shoulders 53 limiting the upward movement of the plate.

A stationary stripper plate 62? is fastened on to of the die 43 by screws 62 and is slight y raised above the die by spacing blocks 62 to permit the strip of paper 63, from which the gaskets 64 are cut, to pass underneath.

Referring now to Figure 2, the strip of paper 63, is wound in the form of a paper roll around a spool or core 65, mounted rotatively upon a frame member 66, the spool 65 preferably being provided with a supporting disc 67. The paper strip is led from the paper roll around a spring tensioned roller 69, mounted in the extended frame 70, and from thence between suitable friction members and guides 71, feed rollers 72 and 73, to the gasket cutting die 74 (Figures 2 and 5). The lower and driving feed roll 72 is mounted in stationary bearings, referably arranged upon the base 58 of the machine, and the upper pressure roller 73 is passes loosely lUO a: reenter mounted in bearing blocks 75, arranged at both ends of the roller, and slidingly mounted upon vertical studs 76 provided with sprin s 77 exerting pressure on the paper strip etween the rollers. The lower roll 72 is driven in the direction of the arrow by means of a suitable ratchet device 78 (Figure 1) which may be of any well known type and construction, and I have not, therefore,

illustrated said device in detail.

The ratchet device 78 is driven by a suitable crank pin '68 arranged adjustably upon a disc 9 fastened to the crank shaft 9, and operates through a connecting rod 79 to turn the paper feed roller 72 only on the upstroke of the rod 79 and feed the paper strip the required distance. The length of the feed movement may be varied by ad ust1ng the crank pin 68 towards or away from the center of rotation by any well-known means not illustrated in detail. On the down stroke of the rod 79 the feed rollers remain stationary, and the relative timing of the paper feed movement, and the operatlpn of the punching and forming dies 15 ad usted so that the feed rollers are stationary while the punch and dies are in operative contact.

The paper cutting die 74 consists of a narrow irregularly curved die body of the width and contour of the gasket to be cut and provided with upper edges 81 and 82 (Figures 5 and 12). The die is supported on a base flange 83, by which it is secured to the bolster plate 55 by screws 84. The inner edge 81 at the cutting line, conforms substantially to the form of the raised or paneled portion of the can ends, and the cut off or waste section 85 of the paper strip 1s discharged downward through the cutting die 74. To facilitate the discharge I prefer to arrange a spring pressed push pin 85 having spiders 85 pushing the cut off section 85 below the cutting point. A stripper plate 86 is yieldingly supported on vertically sliding guide pins 87, its upper edge being normall held flush with the upper edge of the die 74, by means of shoulders 88 on the guide pins which are held against the terminal of the sockets 89 by coiled compression springs 90, arranged on the pins 87, between the bolster plate 55 and stripper plate 86. The paper strip is moved across the stripper plate 86, the upper surface of the cutting dies 74 and 43 by the feed rollers 72 and 73, and is guided in grooves 91 preferably formed at the die 74 by recessed plates 92 fastened to the movable stripper plate 86, as shown in Figures 3 and 10, and at the die 43 by the stationary stripper plate 62* and spacing blocks 62. The lates 92 abut the stripper plate 62 and b ocks 62 thereby forming continuous grooves or guideways for the paper strip. The gaskets 64 are cut from the paper strip 63 during the last part of the down stroke of the plunger 9 -which carries a plate 9 to which all the upper dies are secured (see Figures 5 and 9), and said gaskets are completely severed around their inner edge from the central blank portion by the cutting edge 94 of the die 96- c o-acting with the cutting ed e 81 of the die 74. The outer edge of the gas et is only partially severed from the dpaper strip 63 by the cut ting edges 95 an 82 of dies 96 and 74 respectlve y for reasons which will hereinafter ap car.

11 the recess between the dies 96 and 96 into which the main body of the gasket enters after it has been artially cut, is arranged a stripper rin 9 the lower face of which is normall hel flush with the cutting edges 94 and 95 y means of coil springs 98 acting to force the stripper ring shoulder 99 against a stop 100 in the die 96. The lower face of the stripper rin 97 is exactly of the form and contour of t e gasket to be cut, and on the descent of the upper die to cut the gasket, the stripper ring contacts the paper for the gasket restin on the die 74 while the aper is cut, as s own in Figure 5, and on t e ascent of the die the partially cut gasket is forced out of the recess by the pressure of the springs 98 against the ring 97. The openin formed in the gasket by the severance of t e central blank portion 85 fits the paneled or raised ortion of the can I end around which the gas et is to be placed as will hereinafter appear. As the forming and inserting die members are removed some distance from the gasket cutting die, it is necessary to provide means for carrying the gasket to the forming and inserting die.

For this reason I do not entirely sever the gasket from the paper strip 63, but provide a number of uncut sections 101, referably five in number, in the outer edge of the gasket (see Figure 13) by cutting away correspondin portions 102 in the outer cutting edge 95 o the punch die 96, as indicated in Figures 5 and In order to obtain clean cuts of the paper at every point of the gasket and prevent possible tearing of the paper at the terminating points of the cuts at these uncut sections, I prefer to make slight outward slits 101" at a sharp angle to the outer edge of the gasket at these points, and, for this purpose, outwardly projecting cutting lugs 7 4 are formed in the die 74, which co-operate with the edges 102 of the cutaway portions 102 of the punch die 96 to cut the slits 101. As seen in Figure 13 the paper strip 63 is slightly wider than the gaskets 64 and the artially severed gaskets will adhere to t e strip by the uncut sections 101 until these sections are out in the forming and inserting die as will be hereinafter described. This die is as arated from the gasket cutting die as in icated in Figures 12 and 13, and the intervening space is occu 109 through which it pied by a partially cut gasket during the simultaneous operation of cuttin and inserting a asket. The upper die Tflock 103 carrying t e die member 104, is secured by screws 105 to the plunger plate 9". The die member 104 is secured to the die block 103 b screws 107 and 109 (see Figures 3 and 9;, and it is recessed to receive a plate 108. A guiding stud 111 having a cap 112 and internally bored to receive a coiled spring 113 is secured to the late 108. This-stud is free to slide in the block 103 and its vertical movements are limited by the length of the socket 114 in which the cap 112 of the stud is engaged. A pin 115 having a head 116 projects through the lower end of the stud 111 and the spring 113 acts to force the pin downwards, the head 116 resting against the bottom of the bore and a In 117 being screwed into the upper emf of the bore against which the spring reacts. A knockout pin 115 having a shouldered head 115", normally resting in a socket in the screw passes, is preferably provided in the die block 103. A coil spring 115 keeps the pin 115 normally in the lowest position. The plate 108 carries a series of locating fingers 118 (see also F ig- "ure-9) pivoted to the plate 108, and normally held in a depending inwardly inclined position by springs 120 pressing against lugs 121 of the fingers as shown in Figure 3. The fingers 118 are provided with projections 118 (Figures 3 and 5 which, when the fingers are brought in contact with the paneled edge of the can ends fit over the rounded edge, as shown in Figures 5 and 5 and uide the gaskets readily over the panel of the can end. The springs 120 are preferably arranged in sockets in the plate 108 and press lightly against the lugs 121. Pins 122 having heads 123 are arranged in sockets 124 above the lugs 121 and are normally pressed downward by springs 125 to a position so that the lower ends of the pins are just above the lugs 121.

Referring again to Figures 2 and 12, the paper cutting die 43, above the forming die 42, is secured thereto by screws 42 and is provided with an opening 127 slightly larger than the outer circumference of the gasket 64. A series of cutting sections 128, corresponding in number and location to the uncut secions 101 of the gasket 64, project from the inner edge of the die body 43 into the opening 127. The cutting sections 128 may be made integral with the body of the die 126, or constructed as shown of separate blocks 129, of hard metal, grooved into the metal, composing the die-body, and fastened thereto preferably by screws 130.

In continuous operation the machines A and B operate at the same rate of speed and after the can ends have been blanked and partially formed in the machine B, as above I E5 described they slide by gravity through the chute 24 to the machine-A and are fed one by one upon the forming die 42 by each upward stroke of the plunger connecting rod 9 of the machine A. The strip of paper 63 is simultaneously advanced by the ratchet device 78 and feed rollers 72 and 73 and this movement is adjusted to place a partially cut gasket in position on the die 43 to be com letely cut and inserted in the can end at this time having been brought to rest on the die 42. As the die 104 descends from the position shown in Figures 2 and 3 to that shown in Figure 5 'the inwardly turned locating fingers 118 first enter the opening in the partially cutgasket 64. A moment before the die 104 contacts with the gasket 63 the pin 115 engages the raised portion of the can end, and mally resting by gravity on the collar or head 112 now remains stationary, supported on the can end by the pin 115 until contacted by the upper bod of the die 104, the spring 113 being of so cient tension to carry the plate 108.

As the die 104 descends the vertical pins 122 engage the lugs 121 of the locating fingers 118 to spread these fingers outwards to assume a vertical position, as shown in Figure 5 This spreading movement has the effect of locating the partially cut gasket in an exact centralized position to be finally severed and affixed to the can end. The descending die then contacts the cutting sections 128 of the die member 43, and completely severs the gasket from the paper strip and then carries the gasket down towards the can end, the fingers 118 meanwhile keeping the inner edge of the gasket in alinement with the outer edge of the raised portion of the can end. By the further downward movement of the die 104, the springs 113 and 124 are compressed until the Hat surface of the die strikes the plate 108 when the die will have pushed the gasket 64 off from the fingers 118 and around the raised portion of the can end as shown in Figure 5 bear on the upper face of the can end. The continued downward movement of the die 104 into the die 42 carrying the can end and The fingers 118 will then the plate 108, norgasket with it, turns upwards around the gasket the outer circumferential edge of p pleted can end secure against loss. when;

upwards, itis the die commences to move 7 followed by the pressure plate 51 and the can end to its normal position, and the completed can end, resting on the pressure late 51 is ready for e'ection from the mac ine.

' stro e of the upper die the completed can end i ejected from the machine, y a fresh can end being fed in place on the formmg and affixing die, and a fresh partially cut gasket is moved in place over the can end, as heretofore described, thus making the ma\ chine automatic and continuous in operation.

In Figures 14 to 19 inclusive, 1 have shown a preferred form of mechanism for feedm the can ends to the formin and gasket a fixing die. If the supply 0 canends 1n the feeding chute run short, lemenin the ravity pressure on the lower can en s, sa1 can their ends would occasionally slip backwards up the chute on the return movement of the pusher blade, thereby interfering with the proper working of the machine. Also if the supplying of can ends to the machine A for any reason should cease the last can end would remain on the forming die causing delay and possible injury to the can end and the machine. It has also been found that large sized can ends would occasionally be warped or distorted preventin their laying flat on the chute and inter er1 ng with roper feeding to the machine. To proper y handle can ends under such conditions I arrange a rail 134 in the chute 14 close above the can ends and about midway between the angle bars 15, to make the can ends lie flat and follow one another. A wheel 135, faced with rubber or other sim' ilar material, is mounted upon an arm 136, pivotally connected to the stud 136 in the slide 20. A spring 137 attached to the arm 136 and link 26, tends to force the wheel 135 downwards upon the can ends. Mean are provided whereby the wheel 135 is permitted to roll freely upon the top of the can ends on the backward and idle stroke of the slide 20, but which will lock the wheel against rotation on the forward feeding strokes. These means consist of a small roller 139, mounted upon a pin 140 arranged upon the arm 136 adjacent the wheel 135. The hole 141 in the roller is considerably larger than the pin 140 permitting a displacement of the roller upon the pin. A rib 142 having a slight incline from the vertical is provided on the arm 136 and the roller 139 is arranged in a wedge-she ed recess between the inclined face of the rib 142 and the face of the wheel 135. When the wheel 135 is moved backwards, rotating in the direction of the arrow, the roller 139 will be raised from active contact with the wheel 135 and travel, however, when the wheel 135 is blocked from rotating, the greater frictional resistance of the rubber faceof the wheel will operate to move the can ends forward along with the wheel, and in this way act as a feeder to the pusher blade. As another precaution against backward slippage of the can ends, I mount a spring controlled latch 143 on a bar 144 underneath the can ends. The latch is pivoted to the bar 144 at 145 and is provided with a catch 146 normally projecting slightly above the bar 144 in the path of the can ends. A spring latch 147 holds the latch yieldingly against a stop 148. The catch 146 is located just back of the leading can end, positioned against the stop pins 17 in the die 43, preventin from moving backwards. or the purpose of ejecting the last can end from the form ing die, I rovide the pusher blade 150 with an ejector lad e 151 loosely connected to the pusher blade with a limited vertical movement, preferably by headed studs 152. The ejector blade 151 projects in front ofthe pusher blade 150 and rests normally on the top of the can ends, pressed downwards by a spring 153. If no can ends are present in the chute 14 to engage and eject the can end on the die, the ejector blade 151, at the completion of the backward stroke of the pusher blade will drop to engage the rear end of the said can end and eject it from the die during the forward stroke.

In the operation, briefly, sheets of metal, from which the can ends are to be formed, are fed to the forming and blanking devices of the machine B by which the can ends are cut out of the sheet and formed to the desired panel shape.

As hereinbefore described, the can ends slide by gravity from the machine B down the inclined chute to the gasket applying means, designated generally herein by the reference letter A.

As hereinbefore described the outer flat flanges of the can ends overlap as they ass down the chute. From the lower end of the chute the can ends are moved singly over the forming die, with the raised portion of the can end uppermost.

While the can ends are advancing to- Wards he d e 2 the gasket Sheet is adthis can end meager vanced by the feed rolls, and at the. next downward movement of the ram or plunger the center of the gasket is cut out and discharged from the machine. At the same operation the gasket is severed from the sheet with the exception of the small uncut tions 101 which retain the gasket in the sheet, until it is completely severed therefrom, as hereinbefore described.

As the plunger continues to descend the gaskets are properly centered and placed in position around the raised or paneled ortion of the can end, as heretofore descri ed.

The further movement of the upper die turns the edge of the can end upward, thereby forming a groove, or recess in which the gasket is embedded. Each can end, after the gaskets are fixed therein, is fed out of the machine as hereinbefore described, and

a new one is brought into position to be' operated upon as before.

he sequence of movements of the can end feeding and gasket forming and applying means is co-ordinated to make the machine continuous and automatic in operation and one operator can readily take care of one or more pairs of the machines A and B, thereby effecting a great saving of labor over the usual methods. It will be understood that the paper or gasket cutting dies and the gasket applying and flange forming dies are proportioned so that the gasket covers the surface of the can end between the vertical wall of the panel and the upturned edge 50 which gives a greater sealing surface than other gaskets, and as the gasket is pressed tightly against the can end when the edge is turned up, it practically becomes a part of the can end. The up-turned ed e of the can end is preferably substantlally at right angles to the flange of the can end, thereby leaving a full and free opening or groove for the flange of the can body to be more easily and quickly entered in the assembling operation. When the edge 50 of the can end is turned up it presses closely against the outer edge of the gasket, and the gasket is firmly embedded in the groove formed between the upturned edge of the can end and the substantially vertical wall of the panel. It is, therefore, extremely difficult for the gasket to become loosened or shaken out during the subsequent handling of the can end which has heretofore caused much trouble and waste when the gaskets are ap plied by other methods.

In place of the parts shown in Figure 3 for controlling the vertical play of the pusher blade I prefer the construction shown in Figures 16 and 18 where an arm 154 extends upward from the pusher blade pivoted on the stud 22, and is provided with a large aperture 156 encircling the smaller stud 25 on the slide 20, as shown in Figure 18, whereby the swing of the usher blade arm 154 is limited to the di erenoe in diameters of the stud 25 and aperture 156. The pusher blade arm 154 is preferably spht and a bar 157, projecting backwards to near the wheel 135,'is supported upon the studs22 and 25. is ar serves to prevent the can ends from overlapping pr displacement during the feeding operaion.

Another and preferred modified construction for adjusting the can ends on the formlng die 42 is shown in Figure 20. A bar 158 1s pivoted at each side of the die at 159 and 18 provided with inwardly curved ends 160 agamst which the can ends abut, and a stop lug Q61. A spring 162 serves to hold the bar agamst the lug 161 in the normal position for retaining the "can end. This device is equivalent to the devices for the same purpose above described, and it is clearly evident that other equivalents may be substituted.

While l have shown one particular form of closure and gasket therefor and have referred to the gaskets as being made of paper it will be understood that I do not limit myself to any particular form of closure or gasket or any particular material for said gaskets. Any suitable form and material may be employed for this purpose and W111 be understood as coming within the scope of the specification and claims. It will, therefore, be understood that the closures or ends and consequently the gaskets may be of any desired or preferred form or shape,circular, oval, or rectangular, or of any desired irregular shape. It will also be understood that do not limit myself to the particular details of construction shown and described but that various equivalent constructions and modifications of detalls may be made without departing from the principle and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention 1. In a machlne of the class described, the

combination, with means for formin sheet metal closures, having flat edges or anges, of means for cuttin gaskets and applying the same to said'cosures, and means for thereafter turning up the edge of the closure around the outer edge of the gasket.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with means for forming skets and applying the same to sheet metal closures having fiat edges or flanges, of means for thereafter turnin V closure around the e ge of the gasket.

3. In a machine of'the class described, the combination, with means for forming sheet metal closures having flat edges or flanges, and means for feeding said closures successively to a gasket forming mechanism, of means for supporting a strip of gasket me.-

till

lllltD up the edge of the tee REID

.ing the partia 1y severed gasket over a closure, means for compiletcl severing the gasket and applying it to t e closure, and means for turnin up the edge of the closure around the e ge of the gasket.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with means for forming can ends, having raised or aneled central portions and flat edges or anges, of means for cutting gaskets and applying them to said can ends surrounding the paneled ortions.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with means for feedin can ends having raised or paneled centra portions and flat edges, of means for cutting gaskets conforming in size and shape to the exterior of said panels, and means for applying said gaskets to said can ends around the panel walls.

6, In a. machine of the class described, the combination, with means for feeding can ends having raised or paneled portions and flat edges, of means for cutting gaskets conforming in size and shape to the exterior of said panels, means for applying said gaskets to said can ends around the panel walls, and means for turning up the edge of the can end, and thereby forming with the panel walls a groove in which the gasket is securely seated.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with means for producing can ends having paneled central ortions formed by substantially vertical Wa ls off-set from the can end, said walls being spaced from the edge of the can end, of means for forming a gasket and applying the same to the can end around the paneled Walls, and means for turning up the ed of the can end and thereby forming wit the panel walls a groove in which the gasket is seated.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with means for feeding can ends, of a forming die, means for positioning the can end over said forming die, means for feeding a sheet of' gasket material across a gasket cutting die positioned over and above said forming die, means for cutting a gasket from said material, and applying the same to the can end while in position upon said forming die, and means co-acting with saidforming die for turning up the edge of the can end, and thereby formlng a groove in which said gasket is securel seated.

9. In a machme of the class escribed, the combination, with means for feeding can ends, of a forming die, means for successively positioning the can ends over said forming die, means for feeding a sheet of gasket material across a gasket cutting die positioned over and above said forming die, and above the can end positioned thereon, means for cutting gaskets successively from said sheet of gasket material and placing the same upon the can end, and means co-acting a flange with which the outer e ge of thegasket is, in contact.

10. he machine of the class described,

the combination, with means for feeding can ends and positioning, them over a forming die, of means for supporting and feeding a sheet of gasket material, means for cuttlng out the center and partially cuttin the exterior of each gasket, means for t ereafter bringing the partially severed gasket over the can end positioned upon said forming die and means for completely severing the gasket from the gasket sheet and applying the same to said can end.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with means for feeding can ends and positioning them over a forming die, of means for supporting and feeding a sheet of gasket material, means for cutting out the center and partially cutting the exterior of each gasket, means for bringing the partially severed gasket over the can end, means for completely severing the gasketfrom the gasket sheet and applying the same to said can end, and means for turning up the edge of the can end and forming a flange around the edge of the gasket positioned thereon.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with means for feeding and positioning can ends, of means for feeding sheets of gasket material and cutting out from said material the centers and partiall severing the exterior edges of the gaskets, means for thereafter bringing the partially severed gaskets over the positioned can ends, and means for completing the severing of said gaskets and applying the same to said can ends.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with means for feeding sheets of gasket material, of means for cutting out, from said material, the centers and partially severing the exterior edges of gaskets, and means for thereafter, and by a separate operation, completing the severance of said gaskets.

14; In a machine of the class described, the combination with a forming die, and a spring supported pressure plate, of means for feeding a can end into position upon said plate, with its edge resting upon the surface of the die, means for forming a gasket and positioning the same over said can end, and means co-acting with said forming die for turning up the edge of said can end, and thereby forming a flange around the ed e of said gasket.

15. n a machine of the class described, the combination With a forming die and a spring supported plate arranged within said die, of means for feeding a can end into position upon said plate with its edge resting upon the surface of the die, means for feeding a gasket sheet across said die, above the positioned can end, a plunger arranged above said forming die, provided with a cooperating die arranged to sever the gasket from said gasket sheet and to press itinto position upon said can end, and means for actuating said plunger, the downward movement of said plunger and its die, Within said forming die, causing the edge of said can end to be turned upward, forming a circumferential flange upon said can end in contact with the edge of said gasket.

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a forming die, and means for feeding a sheet of gasket material across said die, said die being arranged to support a can end in position to receive a gasket formed from said sheet, of means for forming a gasket from said sheet and pressing it into position upon said can end, and thereafter depressing said can end, and causing its edge to be turned upward, by theforming die, into a flange around the edge of said gasket.

17. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a forming die, and a spring supported plate arranged within said die, said plate being arranged to support a can end with its edge portion resting upon the surface of said forming die, means for feeding a gasket sheet across said die above the can end supported thereon, means for forcing a gasket cut from said sheet into position upon said can end, and means for depressing the plate and can end supported thereon, and causing the edge of the can end to be turned upward forming a flange surrounding said gasket.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a forming die, and means for feeding a sheet of gasket material across said die, said die being arranged to support a can end in position to receive a gasket formed from said sheet, of means for forming a gasket from said sheet and pressing it into position upon said can end and thereafter turning the edge of the can end to form a flange around the edge of said gasket. 1

19. In a machine of the class described the combination, with a forming die and means for feeding a sheet of gasket material across a gasket cutting die posltloned over and above said forming die, said forming die being arranged to support a can end in position to receive a gasket formed from said sheet, of means co-acting with said gasket cutting die for cutting a gasket from said sheet, and centering means engaging the inner edge of the gasket and guiding it into position upon said can end.

20. In a machine of the class described,

the combination, with a forming die and means for feeding a sheet of gasket material across said .die, said die being arranged to support a can end in position to receive a gasket formed from said sheet, of means for forming a gasket from said sheet, centering means engaging the inner edge of the gasket and guiding it into position upon said can end, and means for pressin said gasket into contact with said can end, and turning the edge of the can end upward to form a flange around the edge of said gasket.

21. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with means for successively feeding can ends or closures, of means for feeding a sheet of gasket material, means for cutting gaskets from said sheet, means engaging the inner edge of each gasket and directing the same into position upon a corresponding can end, and means for turning up the edge of each can end after a gasket has been positioned thereon, and forming a flange around the edge of said gasket.

22. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a. forming die, and a chute leading to said die, and arranged to guide said can ends or closures successively into position upon said die, of a reciprocating slide arranged in proximity to said chute, a pusher plate operated by said slide and arranged to engage successively the can ends in said chute and to move the lowermost one into operative position upon said forming die.

23. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a forming die, of a chute leading to said die and arranged to guide can ends or closures successively into position upon said die, spring-controlled means arranged at the lower end of said chute for checking the movement of the lowermost can end in the chute, and means successively engaging the can ends in said chute and moving the lowermost can end auto operative position upon said forming 24. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a forming die, of a chute leading to said die, and arranged to guide can ends or closures successively into position upon said die, means coacting with said forming die for forming a flange upon said can end, and means for ejecting from the machine the can end upon which the flange has been formed.

25. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a forming die arranged to receive and hold can ends, of means for forming gaskets and positioning the same upon said can ends, means for forming a flange around the edge of each can end in contact with the outer edge of said gasket, and means for ejecting from said machine the can end that has been thus operated upon.

26. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a stationary die, a reciprocating die and means for feed ng a strip of paper between said dies, of inner and outer cutting edges in said dies for perforating and partially severing a gasket from said paper strip, a series of cut-away sections in the outer cutting edges in? one of said dies, and a spring-pressed stripper ring movably arranged in the reciprocating die and contacting said gasket while it is being partially cut.

27. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a stationary forming die and a reciprocating die operated by a plunger and co-acting with the stationary die, of a chute for delivering can ends or closures to be pushed in position on said stationary die, a reciprocating slide arranged in proximity to said chute, a rocker arm connected to said slide, connections between said slide, said rocker arm and said plunge-r whereby said slide is operated simultaneously with said plunger, a pusher plate pivotally connected to said slide and adapted to push one of said can ends to position on the stationary die at the forward stroke of said slide and means connected to said slide and including a roller for assisting the forward movement of the can ends and preventing backward movements of said can ends.

28. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a stationary die, and means for positioning a can end upon said die, of a reciprocating die co-acting with said stationary die, a locating plate movably arranged in said reciprocating die, depending fingers arranged in said locating plate, means for bringing a perforated gasket in a posit-ion to pass said fingers through the perforation of said gasket when the reciprocating die descends, means operable in the reciprocating die to spread said fingers and position the gasket relative to the can end, forming means for thereafter affixing said gasket to said can end and pressure means arranged in the reciprocating die and acting on the can end while the gasket is being ailixed.

29. In a machine of the class described,

the combination, with a reciprocating plunger or ram, of upper cutting and afiixing dies connected to said plunger, lower stationary dies arranged to coact with said upper dies, rolls for feeding a strip of paper closures to the gasket affixing die on the upward stroke of the plunger and means c0-0perating with said dies for cutting a gasket from said strip ofpaper and afiix ing it to said can end or closure on the down strokes of said plunger.

30. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a forming die, and a chute leading to said die, and arranged to deliver can ends or losures to be brought in position upon said die, of a reciprocating slide arranged in proximity to said chute, a pusher plate operated by said slide to push the can end nearest the die in position on said die, a yieldable spring controlled stop arranged in said die against which the can end is positioned when in place in the die, and means co-operating with said reciprocating slide and pusher blade for ejecting said can end from said die.

31. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a forming die and a chute for delivering can ends to be pushed in position on said die, of a yieldable stop against which the can end in chute nearest to said die is arrested, a reciprocating member arranged in proximity to said chute, a pusher plate connected to said member and having a limited swingin movement, a shoulder on said pusher p ate adapted to contact with and push the arrested can end nearest the die into position on said die thereby ejecting the can end in place on the die and a spring-pressed blade connected to said pusher blade and extendin forward above said shoulder for ejecting t e can end in place on the die when no can end is in the chute near the die.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of October, 1921.

LLIAM J. TOE. 

